[(JD)]

First off, this is not about who or what or what if regarding anything political.

I'm trying to figure out how much of an increase in health insurance premiums I will accept, and how much will be too much and I'll cancel, before I receive this year's "open season" packet from my hospitalization carrier.

Generally, I have it by now. I was hoping they were sitting on until after the election ... as if that would make a difference? IDK

But I'm trying to think about this so I don't panic when I receive the offering... just in case... because the word on the street is health care coverage may rise as much as 40%. If it does that, my premiums would rival my house payments! I'm not sure I can do that, though home and health are the two big deals in my life.

Has anyone else been working on this, or am just totally off the wall now?

I know it used to go up about 9% a year. Last year it went up 18% and I had to move to a lesser plan.

Does anyone know of a site that can help me compute this type of thing directly for health care???

What percentage would you be able to go with, with your plan, should it increase?

Of course, I'd love to be surprised with a decrease in premiums.

[(JD)]

Hmmm ok. Guess I'm alone in this for the site.

[ECHOES]

I'm reading around 10-25% (more for California) for commercial plans, but there are so many factors it would be a wild guess. So many variables that would come into play: type of plan, type and level of benefits, specific costs incurred the past year and in the plan's geographical area, etc.

A person who is Medicare eligible has good news though; Medicare Advantage plan premiums are expected to drop slightly due to an expected 5% increase in enrollment. Premiums were expected to increase, but will drop 1%.

[(JD)]

Well I'm on disability and never be eligible for government benefits.

I can't imagine how any of this will work for me.

My T is booked solid, and I thought it was because of the new health care plan, but he says that hasn't gone into effect really (no.)

And, as a side note, I see where we were sold a bill of goods regarding pre-existing conditions (which I need to be in force) because it only pertains to small children. grrrrr.

[ECHOES]

regarding pre-existing conditions (which I need to be in force) because it only pertains to small children.

No, it applies to anyone.

Section 2704 of the bill, which states very clearly, "A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion with respect to such plan."
And Section 2705 spells the prohibition out in even more detail:

"A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not establish rules for eligibility (including continued eligibility) of any individual to enroll under the terms of the plan or coverage based on any of the following health status-related factors in relation to the individual or a dependent of the individual: health status; medical condition (including both physical and mental illnesses); claims experience; receipt of health care; medical history; genetic information; evidence of insurability (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence); disability; any other health status-related factor determined appropriate by the Secretary."
In addition, the bill makes clear that insurance companies cannot charge more for people with pre-existing medical conditions; nor can they charge more for women.
The requirement to cover people with pre-existing conditions doesn't kick in until 2014. Until then, a new high-risk pool will offer coverage to uninsured people with pre-existing medical problems.

[Perna]

One thing my husband has done is make sure my deductible is as high as possible ($2,600) so we pay more out-of-pocket at the doctor/for meds. When we multiply monthly premiums x 12 with different deductibles and my own need it's like reading the prices for different sizes of the same product at the grocery store; often the bigger one is NOT cheaper. Lowering the deductible and increasing my monthly payments by just "a little" each month when multiplied 12 times, might be more than is gained by the amount one would get by having a lower deductible. Health care is expensive mostly because of all the clerical work needed to be done and the high cost of personnel to do it. They all have to have company health insurance you know :-)